Shelters

The Center Against Domestic Violence opened the first publicly funded domestic violence shelter in New York State in 1977.

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Since then we have expanded to three full service shelters that provide sanctuary for 1000 victims of domestic abuse each year.

Three Safe Havens

Women’s Survival Space
Women’s Safe Start
Women’s Second Start

Our shelters provide lifesaving emergency housing for women and children who are fleeing abusive homes. Each family stays in their own apartment complete with full kitchen and bath, giving them the privacy they need to feel safe in a new environment. Our staff provides 24-hour assistance and security and supplies all basic living essentials, including linens, food, pots and pans and much more.

“I thought we were in the wrong place. The building did not look like a shelter to me. It was clean and we had our own apartment and kitchen too!” —Francesca, 9 years old

Shelter slideshow

View a slideshow of one of the shelters below. The shelter is an apartment building where each family has their own apartment. The slideshow features the communal areas, such as the foyer, garden and recreational rooms, along with the inside of one of the apartments.

Foyeur

The Center Against Domestic Violence has experience working with women from many different backgrounds

Foyeur

The foyeur near the building entrance

Case Management and Counseling

From the moment families enter one of our shelters, they form a relationship with a dedicated case manager who helps them chart a path to overcoming domestic abuse.

Hallway

A brightly-lit hallway

Bedroom

A bedroom in one of the apartment units

Living Room

A living room in one of the apartment units

Living Room

A living room in one of the apartment units

Kitchen

A kitchen in one of the apartment units

Dining Area

A dining area in one of the apartment units

Chef

The chef prepares meals for the shelter residents

Children's Artwork

Artwork created by children in the shelter

Recreational Services

Play area in the day care center

Recreational Services

Play area in the recreation department

Recreational Services

Play area in the recreation department

Recreational Services

Children sit at a table in the play area

Recreational Services

Children attend licensed day care and after school programs

Playground

Aerial view of the playground

Playground

Children play safely at the shelter's playground

Playground

Children play safely at the shelter's playground

Our Goals

At each of our shelters, we provide families with more than just housing. Before they leave, we aim to equip all residents with the tools they need to start a new life, including:

permanent housing

the ability to plan for their safety

the ability to access what help and services they will need in their new communities

the skills to identify and avoid abusive relationships in the future

an understanding of how living with abuse changed their lives

“I’ve been to the Center Against Domestic Violence and now I never have to go back to a batterer again.” —Tonya